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“We want players who are big, strong, smart, fast, tough and disciplined,” Pioli said, finally bringing an end to the era of Chiefs executives who searched desperately for players who are small, weak, stupid, slow, fragile and unruly.

Here's the Stein article. Doesn't look like much has changed since the initial report.

Quote:

Originally Posted by
Juventus have moved a step closer to signing hotshot American teenager Erik Palmer-Brown from Sporting Kansas City, according to sources familiar with the process.

Industry sources told ESPN FC that the Italian giants are making progress in their attempts to prise the promising defender away from the MLS champions after having a reported $1 million bid rejected last month.

Palmer-Brown, just 16, is regarded a future star for the U.S. national team with the potential to be a top-flight centreback or full-back who's blessed not only with size but excellent feet.

The teen is already a fixture of the U.S. national team program at youth level and became the youngest current player in MLS when he signed with his hometown club last August.

He's been part of the Sporting KC Academy since he was 13 and turns 17 in April.

"I'm not really sure what's going on," Palmer-Brown told the Kansas City Star in January when news of Juventus' interest first surfaced. "It would be cool if it's true, but I'm really happy to be here and happy to be with Sporting.

"It's really cool, but I'm still young. I'm still developing my game. I'm glad to be here at home with the MLS Cup [winners

Figured as much. It's pretty cool that there is big-time European interest in EPB, but I'd really enjoy getting to see him suit up for us for a few years first.

And I think the Teal move was necessary and prudent. Should save some $$$ as well.

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“We want players who are big, strong, smart, fast, tough and disciplined,” Pioli said, finally bringing an end to the era of Chiefs executives who searched desperately for players who are small, weak, stupid, slow, fragile and unruly.

Thierry Henry may make it look easy with plays like this, but mark his words: MLS is no cakewalk.

In a video interview with ESPNFC.com this week (above), the New York Red Bulls' star forward discussed his experience convincing his colleagues in Europe of the league's quality and difficult level,

"People [in Europe] have the view of MLS that it’s an easy league, that you can come here and score goals and it’s going to be easy," Henry explained. "I keep on telling them, ‘It’s not that easy.’ You have to perform, you have to show people here that you can play and they’ll give you your respect, but not before that."

The English Premier League's third-ranked goalscorer of all time knows a thing or two about the goalscoring side of things, and even the difficulty of scoring in MLS – his 10-goal output in 2013 was the only the third time since he joined Arsenal in 1999 that he's scored 10 or fewer league goals in a full season of play.

Thierry Henry may make it look easy with plays like this, but mark his words: MLS is no cakewalk.

In a video interview with ESPNFC.com this week (above), the New York Red Bulls' star forward discussed his experience convincing his colleagues in Europe of the league's quality and difficult level,

"People [in Europe] have the view of MLS that it’s an easy league, that you can come here and score goals and it’s going to be easy," Henry explained. "I keep on telling them, ‘It’s not that easy.’ You have to perform, you have to show people here that you can play and they’ll give you your respect, but not before that."

The English Premier League's third-ranked goalscorer of all time knows a thing or two about the goalscoring side of things, and even the difficulty of scoring in MLS – his 10-goal output in 2013 was the only the third time since he joined Arsenal in 1999 that he's scored 10 or fewer league goals in a full season of play.

MEXICO CITY, MÉXICO – Next week, Cruz Azul will return to CONCACAF Champions League action in search of a record sixth confederation club crown, but the process of achieving such a lofty objective won’t be simple.

Midfielder Gerardo Torrado realizes that La Maquina’s quarterfinal series against Sporting Kansas City -- the current Major League Soccer champion -- is going to be a difficult proposition.

“I think that they can be a very disciplined opponent tactically, physically very strong and a very serious opponent for which we will have to study well,” Torrado told CONCACAF.com.

The first leg will be played March 12 at Kansas City’s Sporting Park, a venue with which Cruz Azul has no familiarity. Despite the possibility of chilly temperatures, Torrado is looking forward to the trip and witnessing firsthand the passion Sporting’s supporters.

“It is going to be a wonderful experience, to play on a field in the United States,” commented the 34-year-old. “I imagine that there will be a good crowd. I don’t know their fans, but I think they support them a lot, so it will also be a delightful experience for us.

“It is going to motivate us to come out to a good atmosphere and look to win.”

The Cruz Azul-Sporting Kansas City pairing is one of three quarterfinals pitting clubs from the United States and Mexico against each other. In Torrado’s opinion, this will further cultivate competition between the North American leagues.

“The rivalry has grown a lot between the Mexican teams and the U.S. teams,” he noted. “Football in the U.S. has improved in a considerable form. There is no doubt Sporting Kansas City is an opponent that we will have to analyze well to be intelligent about them.”

Torrado assures the fans of Cruz Azul that the squad – just as in Liga MX play -- will give maximum effort against Kansas City in its bid to secure a semifinal berth.

“In the league, the team is very committed,” finished the Mexico national team veteran. “We are eager to do things well, have a good team, work hard in the team and we look for the same in the Champions League.”